Planning

Year One: Transparency & Diligence

Rebuild Police Force:

• Work with contacts to rebuild the city’s policing agency

• Code enforcement: Ord. No. 2022-04 - Short Term Rentals, Golf Cart Permitting, Building and Construction Permits, and Property Maintenance

Shoreacres already has ordinances that can generate revenue. No new taxes on residents, its consistent enforcement of permits, property maintenance standards, and municipal codes

Complete Financial Audits:

• CPA Firm to conduct city financial audits from previous 3 years

• Use audits to identify opportunities for cost savings and budget improvements

• Provide residents with clear financial overview of findings

Improve Flood Protection & Community Rating System (CRS):

• Work with consultant to achieve the 129 points to next CRS rating to Class 6

• Continue to address additional opportunities to reach Class 5

This achievement will give citizens a 20% Discount on Flood Insurance Policies

Commercial Lease Agreement:

• Work with Railroad contacts for commercial agreement with a Base + Percentage model

• Generating recurring revenue for our city to focus on rejuvenation, infrastructure, and debts

This agreement can generate $50-100K or more per year for the city without needing restructuring of residential areas to generate commercial income.

Grant Funding:

• Prioritize grant opportunities for water infrastructure: Texas Water Development Boards (WISG) grant (no matching required, one time benefit), Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF)(no matching, can be combined with 0% interest loan if needed for additional projects)

• The goal for grant funding will be to address the known issues with infrastructure such as lift station 2, water lines that were not completed in previous $4 Million Loan Water Project, and Flood Drainage which includes ditches, early warning systems, and flood planning studies

• Part of this effort will include an introduction to a city Grant Committee

This grant effort will utilize the committee to assist in seeking grants and some administrative tasks. We would utilize experts to assist with obtaining the grants that are necessary. The city will not be hiring a full-time/part-time employee to help with this effort at this time. No additional funding would be assumed, only once the grant application process begins would the city need a 3rd party to assist with this effort. Grant writers often charge $50-$100 per hour or base depending on grant seeking. Grants would not fall under the city's revenue but rather funding the city would use to complete infrastructure, water, flood, and parks projects. 

Review Interlock and Franchise Agreements: 

• Focus on interlock agreements to identify areas of improvement that can lend to a positive budget

• Propose findings to council and citizens

This small effort can make a huge impact on our city’s budget. Contracts are often negotiated or re-negotiated to make it impactful for both parties. The goal here would be to assist our city’s budget to maintain and build reserves. 

Year Two: Budget Transparency & Review

Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB):

• Propose a Zero Based Budgeting model to assist in identifying what is and is not working for the city

• Report to citizens overview and findings

This would assist with providing the citizens with accurate budgeting to help with determining areas the city can focus on moving forward. 

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP):

• Adopt a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for Infrastructure upgrades, Drainage ditch improvements, Stormwater infrastructure, Water line replacements, and Street maintenance.

Adopting a CIP plan will provide transparency to citizens. It will also help the city keep on track with improvement plans and ongoing projects. 

Municipal Reserve & Debt Reduction Plan:

• Establish a Financial Stability Plan.

The goal is to build the city’s reserves to go beyond 6 months. A city should ideally have 6-12 months in reserves.

Grant Implementation Plan:

• After CIP is established, grant implementation should begin. 

• Communicate to citizens on CIP and begin projects.

The goal is to reflect transparency to the community and help with preparation for projects that could have an impact on their day-to-day livelihoods.

Website Transparency & Community Engagement:

• Revamp city website for easier access to city audit summaries, capital improvement projects, meeting recordings, ordinance updates, and grant funding updates.

• Create a monthly newsletter

• Social Media initiative to create a greater sense of community with city and citizens

• Connect with residents on other city initiatives that should be focused on

The goal here is to create greater transparency to the residents of the community. Encourage a greater sense of community and increase community engagement. 

Long Term Strategic Planning:

• Develop a multi-year plan to help continue financial stability, infrastructure modernization, flood resilience, public safety, and community engagement

This roadmap will ensure that Shoreacres has sustainability for the next few years.